The Aero Commander 560 had a production run of 11 years, starting in 1954. It replaced the Model 520 in the Aero Commander line. For the first three years, it used the 44-1/2-foot wing, but in 1957 acquired the 49-1/2-foot wing now common to all the light Commander twins. The 560 featured a new tail unit with swept surfaces, more power, a greater all-up weight, and higher performance. Engine power was rated at 270 hp in 1954, increased to 295 hp in 1956, and boosted again in 1961 to 350 hp. It was the highest performance twin ever made in this Commander class. Top speed reached 248 mph, which is over 30 mph more than the Shrike Commander. Standard seating provided for five persons with optional seating for seven. Later, the 560F was available in an eight-seat high-density arrangement. The standard fuel tanks had a capacity of 223 gallons, but optional long range tanks with a capacity of 285 gallons could be installed.

In 1967 North American Rockwell purchased Aero Commander. The company changed the name of the Commander 500 to the Shrike Commander, hich remained in production until 1980.